Where's Wally? The totally essential travel collection by Martin Handford

Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406375718
(Age: 7+) Recommended. For thirty years, British illustrator Martin Handford's Where's Wally books have delighted fans of all ages. From the original Where's Wally to The wonder book, his Hollywood adventures and The incredible paper chase, these popular seek and find puzzle books are now available in one handy travel compendium. With a flexible sturdy cover and a stretchy elastic bookmark, this is perfect for a young explorer to take on a long journey, plane ride or car trip. Six postcards tucked into the front and back pocket are included, ready to colour in and send via snail mail to someone special at home.
Each double page spread contains the familiar detailed settings with hundreds of colourful people and animals busily engaged in a vast array of activities. Wally with his red-and-white striped shirt, bobble hat and glasses is sometimes hard to find amongst all the other cast of characters dressed in similar colours. Two checklists are included for each of the seven books. These add to the fun of finding Wanda, Woof and lots of crazy people and animals hidden on a space station, performing in the Wally Musical or fighting with the Battling Monks.
Where's Wally? The totally essential travel collection is a wonderful way to introduce historical events, inspire creativity and engage with a real book instead of a screen.
Rhyllis Bignell